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ben999B

ben999

@ben999
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Recent Best Controversial

  • Piezzo siren/alarm
    ben999B ben999

    @TheoL thanks a lot for your suggestions

    Unfortunately this is way above my league
    And i'm not brainy enough to modify his design

    I am using that same transistor mentionned in @Anticimex 's post

    My question was very general : does a transistor leak and by how much (is that a figure even given is the specs sheet?)

    Thanks you anyway for replies

    Hardware

  • Piezzo siren/alarm
    ben999B ben999

    Next step is to measure battery voltage on a daily basis.

    Current setup is as follow:

    • Pro Mini 8MHz 3.3V (regulator removed)
    • Single cell LiPo (4.2V)
    • Solar panel (unknown specs)
    • Solar charger/boost to 5.0V based on 4056 chip

    My reference for this part of the project is this post :
    @Anticimex said in New library to read Arduino VCC supply level without resistors for battery powered sensor nodes that do not use a voltage regulator but connect directly to the batteries ;-)

    I would like to activate the voltage divider on demand, via a transistor (NDP6020P as per previous link) as to not draw voltage 24/7 on a permanent divider.
    I am also considering using AVR's internal 1.1V reference to measure the voltage.
    Simulation gives this: link to falstad
    circuit-20260319-1115.png

    As one looks at the "live" simulation one can notice that the transistor leaks a bit... a few mV.. that's the bit that worries me.

    Is this a flaw from the calculation or does a transistor leak anyway ?

    Thanks a lot for your suggestions !

    Hardware

  • Piezzo siren/alarm
    ben999B ben999

    back at it !

    I got my LCD microscope out and tried to reverse-engineer the original board. I should have done that to start with.

    I drew that circuit on www.falstad.com (this link takes you to my actual circuit) and got several kV out of the simulation lol.

    I used the original transformer: i could only measure resistance, so 5,5ohms on primary side, and 195ohms on secondary.

    First transistor hooked to wave generator is J3Y. I replaced it with a BC547 (the "copy-paste" engineer hidden inside my head told me it's fairly close lol).

    Second transistor is labeled J41CG and seems pretty strong to me so i replaced it with TIP120 .

    buzz01.png

    Next I put all these components onto the breadboard, and load my favourite Nano with this sketch :

    const int buzzerPin = 9;
    int i = 0;
    unsigned long duration = 1000;
    
    void setup() {
      pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
    }
    
    void   loop() {
      for (i = 1000; i < 5000; i++) {
        tone(buzzerPin, i, duration);
      }
      for (i = 5000; i > 1000; i--) {
        tone(buzzerPin, i, duration);
      }
    }
    

    That is ever so LOUD !!

    So this is plenty good enough for my little project !

    next step

    Hardware

  • nRF24Doctor
    ben999B ben999

    @OldSurferDude as long as we’re using nRFs this project is still relevant :D

    Great little tool to check for efficiency of modules

    I can even « aim » a pcb antenna to get the best result !

    My Project transmission delays compare modules power consumption radio quality doctor range gateway location diagnose nrf24 radio

  • nRF24Doctor
    ben999B ben999

    I might be able to answer that myself !

    Looks like i have forgotten to "combine" a .ino file (CharLcdMenu.ino) with the main one (nRF24DoctorNode.ino), which seems to be a bit like a sub-program.

    edit: that's it. Just had to create a second TAB with that sub-program, compile and success.

    Please forgive my lack of vocabulary and knowldge, i am a "copy-paste" engineer :D

    My Project transmission delays compare modules power consumption radio quality doctor range gateway location diagnose nrf24 radio

  • nRF24Doctor
    ben999B ben999

    Sorry to necro this old post :(
    I have just uploaded @yveaux's version of nRF24 doctor to a Nano.

    @Yveaux said in nRF24Doctor:

    https://github.com/TechNovation01/nRF24Doctor/blob/master/pcb/nRFDoctor_1.1_sch.pdf

    I got all the right libraries installed into IDE (especially LCDMenuLib2.h version 1.2.7, i also tried several other versions close to 1.2.7 just to be sure).
    But when compiling i get the following errors :

    /tmp/ccMpih6l.ltrans0.ltrans.o: In function `global constructors keyed to 65535_0_nRF24QualityMeter03.ino.cpp.o.3416':
    <artificial>:(.text.startup+0x19a): undefined reference to `lcdml_menu_display()'
    <artificial>:(.text.startup+0x19c): undefined reference to `lcdml_menu_display()'
    <artificial>:(.text.startup+0x1a6): undefined reference to `lcdml_menu_clear()'
    <artificial>:(.text.startup+0x1a8): undefined reference to `lcdml_menu_clear()'
    collect2: error: ld returned 1 exit status
    exit status 1
    Erreur de compilation pour la carte Arduino Nano
    

    That is a bit above my knowledge. Could someone please point me into the right direction? Could it be just a case of "wrong naming" of variables ?

    My Project transmission delays compare modules power consumption radio quality doctor range gateway location diagnose nrf24 radio

  • ic package and power consumption
    ben999B ben999

    @OldSurferDude sorry i got you in the wrong direction !

    I am just building my own alarm unit for home protection. I bought a unit from aliX and salvaged enclosure, solar pannel and a few components (LEDs, piezzo, ...). I am no finalizing the PCB.

    Back to your project : please share your knowledge as i am in deep thinking about an off-grid capable solar system. It would make sense to have capability for external inputs such as ethanol-powered generator and wind turbine on top of solar panels. I also want a fairly big battery pack (for peace of mind and also to preserve it from deep discharge).

    Can't you find any serial-data connector somewhere on your power panel ?

    General Discussion

  • ic package and power consumption
    ben999B ben999

    @monte thanks a lot for your answer

    That suits me perfectly :)

    General Discussion

  • ic package and power consumption
    ben999B ben999

    Size matters ?

    My question is about one specific point : does a bigger package consume more power ?

    I am in the process of replicating a solar/battery circuit and adapting it to my needs (and mysensors of course).

    I won't be able to solder tiny SMDs... so i chose bigger SMDs and even through-hole components (mainly resistors and transistors).

    Will selecting the exact same component but in a bigger package affect overall power consumtion ?

    Or are internal bits dimensioned identical ?

    Thanks a lot

    General Discussion

  • Drive household SSR with SSR and Arduino
    ben999B ben999

    Quick update: i wanted to hide and protect the Nano in a housing.
    Aliexpress supplies very nice enclosures that fits on Din rails.
    https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005005505247992.html

    They fit in electrical cabinets thanks to standard dimensions.

    A.png
    B.png

    One 3Dprinted part later (glued inside enclosure) and the Arduino is safely held in place!

    C.png
    D.png
    5.png

    stl file of adapter :
    dinRailEnclosureMountForNano-revE.stl

    Hardware

  • Drive household SSR with SSR and Arduino
    ben999B ben999

    @OldSurferDude
    Thanks a lot for your time. I am very impressed by the amount of research !!

    In the end I still can not confirm whether this relay is noiseless/mechanical or just based on electronic components (triacs).

    Good news is that this Legrand noiseless relay can be driven by a mechanical relay or by a tiny SSR. I chose a SSR unit with a DinRail mount. Looks all very professional in the electrical cabinet.
    SSR.png

    I have also added an optocoupler to check the state of the light and sent it back to openHab: input is connected to lightbulb wires and signal is connected to Arduino. Works all fine!!
    Capture d’écran du 2026-01-11 20-58-23.png

    Next step is to receive optocoupler with DinRail mount !!
    opto.png

    Hardware

  • Drive household SSR with SSR and Arduino
    ben999B ben999

    @OldSurferDude thanks a lot for your input.

    You are right. I remember reading this as well. SSRs need a minimal load on output side in order to latch properly

    I chose these relays because of noise: the electric cabinet for circuit breakers and relays is located next to the bedroom. At first cabinet was filed with mechanical 240V AC relays 😂 🤯

    I will have a second try with the tiny Omron Chinese clones, in case they need much less load to latch properly.

    Thanks a lot for you help 👍🏻
    I’ll come back here to conclude (either Omron SSRs or mech style relays).

    Hardware

  • Drive household SSR with SSR and Arduino
    ben999B ben999

    I need a bit of advice here please.

    Long story short : what are the limitations for driving an SSR with an SSR ?

    Long story : I have an AC ceiling light powered by a DinRail Relay (latching relay module ?). That relay is driven by numerous 240V AC wall switches as per following drawing.
    telerupteur01.jpg

    Then enters MySensors!! Arduino and chineese SSR (input 3 to 32V DC, output AC 240V).
    telerupteur02.jpg

    DinRail relay still reacts with wall switches but not with Arduino+SSR...
    Fun fact : multimeter reads 150V at wall switch contacts (between orange and red line). This setup has been working flawlessly until now so i guess it is normal behaviour.

    I have read somewhere that these SSRs (based on triacs) only switch on when load voltage gets to zero... i'm not sure i fully understand and i am here asking you whether that's the reason why it doesn't work as expected and what would be the way to get this right.

    Thanks a lot for your input !

    Hardware

  • nRF24L01+ missing capacitor aka "magic finger"
    ben999B ben999

    @TheoL 805 package measures 2x1.2mm... :D depends on your visual acuity !!

    Two netwoks with seperate GW ?

    Hardware

  • nRF24L01+ missing capacitor aka "magic finger"
    ben999B ben999

    @TheoL thanks for reporting back.

    In case you haven't ordered RFM modules yet i could send you a handful of capacitors to update your nRF modules... how about that ?

    I have ordered a hundred... well over a lifetime of 1pF capacitors for me :D

    Hardware

  • nRF24L01+ missing capacitor aka "magic finger"
    ben999B ben999

    @TheoL thanks a lot for your message.

    But i guess you are talking about the additional capacitor, in between 3.3V and ground ?

    What i would like to know is if these modules you're using do have a 1pF capacitor as per picture :

    1pfCapacitor.JPG

    Please let me know !

    Hardware

  • nRF24L01+ missing capacitor aka "magic finger"
    ben999B ben999

    @Honk thanks a lot for your input

    I'm building @AWI 's "connection quality meter" so i can quantify any change. Being a 10 year's experienced noob in MySensors, it takes me for ever to get it right :D

    Please share your experience with faulty modules in possible connection with that missing capacitor.

    Hardware

  • nRF24L01+ missing capacitor aka "magic finger"
    ben999B ben999

    Hello Everyone,

    I love my MySensors + openHab setup but it gets really frustrating when a node just stops working for a while... and then comes back on track a few hours later.

    So, long story short : i was just about to switch to (and order some) RFM69 modules last night when i discovered the "magic finger trick" (as i was looking for power consumption nRF vs RFM).

    Looks like a pretty high number of nRF modules left the factory with a missing capacitor...

    https://ncrmnt.org/2021/01/03/nrf24l01-fixing-the-magic-finger-problem/

    Is it just me and everyone else knew ? ALL mt nRF24s from various suppliers are missing that capacitor... no wonder then (if that's the real culprit) !

    So I have just ordered a batch of smd capacitor... i'll let you know.

    Hardware

  • IP phone and beacon
    ben999B ben999

    Hi guys

    Long time no speak but still a MySensors fan !!

    My new project is a bit tougher than expected.

    Here is the thing: landline phones used to be analog type, with some 40v running across the wires... adding a beacon for noisy environment was a breeze, just plug it in and whenever a call comes in the beacon picks the signal and rings.

    My country has now moved to digital signal, IP i would say (please correct me if wrong terminology).
    So now the phone is connected at the back of optic fiber internet box (modem) via RJ45 plug.

    Needless to say that analog beacon has become useless. Beacon manufacturers have not yet moved their tech towards IP protocol.

    Have you ever bumped into that kind of challenge ? :grin:

    I have a spare W5100 in the drawer... would it be able to access to the phone data, to check whether it's ringing ?

    Hope you get the picture and you can show me the way forward :+1:

    General Discussion

  • openHAB 4 MySensors Binding
    ben999B ben999

    @niccodemi I am no expert and am having a tough time with these files as well !!!

    My .things file looks like so :

    Bridge mqtt:broker:mosquitto "MySensorsGateway"@"Home" [host="openhabian", port="1883", secure=false]
    {
    	Thing topic garageDoor01 "Garage"@"Basement" {
    		Channels:
    			Type contact :	garageDoor01switch	[stateTopic="mysensors-out/19/1/1/0/16", transformationPattern="MAP:contact.map"]
    			Type datetime : garageDoor01switch_LastUpdate
    	}
    

    As far as i understand, you're missing that "linktopic" descrption...

    OpenHAB
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